Feb. 17, 1919 - Feb. 27, 2009

Richard B. Eads, 90, of Albany died quietly in his sleep at home.

He was born on a farm near Bonham, Texas. At that time, his father was an infantry officer in France during World War I. He was reared primarily in Bryan, Texas, and graduated from high school in Galveston in 1935. Additional education included a Bachelor of Science in 1939, a master's degree in 1941 and a doctorate in 1949 from Texas A&M University. Following graduation in 1939, Richard married Florence Richey of College Station.

Richard was employed as a medical entomologist by the Texas State Health Department in Austin from 1939 to 1960, except for leave for graduate study and military duty in World War II. He served in the Navy for three years including 20 months in the South Pacific. Richard remained in the Naval Reserve for 17 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. He resigned from the Naval Reserve in 1960 in order to accept an appointment as senior scientist in the Commissioned Officers Corps, U.S. Public Health Service. He was promoted to scientist director in 1964 with the Navy rank of captain. Stateside assignments included tours in Brownsville, Texas; New Orleans; San Francisco; and Fort Collins, Colo. Richard spent his 50th birthday in Vietnam during one of his two tours there as public health advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense. He retired from active duty in October 1978.

After retirement Richard and Florence moved to Albany and joined son Charlie Eads in a new family business. Dr. Eads served as president of Eads Broadcasting Corporation, which owns and operates KGAL and KSHO Radio. He and Florence also maintained and restored a lovely historic home in the Monteith District, where they lived for 28 years.

In addition to gardening and enjoying his home and friends, Richard loved to listen to his big band music collection as well as playing saxophone and clarinet in dance bands over the years. He also played clarinet in the Willamette Valley Concert Band, as it is now known. His later days were filled with card games with Florence, enjoying her cooking, reading mysteries from the Albany Public Library and following his investments.

Richard was preceded in death by a brother, Bill of New Orleans.

He is survived by his wife, Florence of Albany; son Charlie and wife Mary of Albany; brother Robert of Brownfield, Texas; and grandsons Mark, Michael and David.

At the deceased's request there will be no funeral or formal memorial. The family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Richard B. Eads Memorial Fund for the new Albany Public Library, in care of Ed Gallagher, Director, Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave., Albany, OR 97322.

Fisher Funeral Home is handling arrangements (www.fisherfuneralhome.com).